Well I have stuck a couple of deer over the years, but they were car hit, if I have a weapon (bow or gun) that is what I will use though, a deer can rip you a new one if you are not very careful. You must have a sharp knife and know how to stick one or you are going to have one hell of a fight on your hands, if the knife is sharp and you know how to stick one it is almost painless and it is darn quick, but if you have a weapon, use it!